Imran Hosein Pays Tribute To Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki (Rahimahullah) January 12, 2012

“And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah and Allah is Merciful over his bondmen.” (Quran 2:207)

The Prophet (sallaallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:

“The example of my Ummah is like that of rain. It is not known whether the initial part (of the rain) is good or the latter part.”

(Musnaad Ahmad, 3/130, 4/319, and at-Tirmidhee, no.2873)

Ibn Taymiyyah on this Hadeeth:

“..what it means is that among those who come later there will be those who are similar to those who came before, and they will be so close that the one who tries to compare them will not know which is better, even though one of them is in fact better.

This is glad tidings for those who come later, that among them will be those who are close to those who came before them, as it says in another hadeeth: “The best of my ummah are the first and the last, and between them there will be some crookedness. Would that I could see my brethren.” They said, “Are we not your brethren?” He said, “You are my companions.” This shows that precedence was given to the Sahaabah, because they alone are his companions, which is a higher status than merely being brothers.”

[Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 11/370, 371]

World Muslim Population 2010 Stats by Country December 28, 2011

This is the 2010 World Muslim Population stats by Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

It says: “The purpose of this manuscript is to present a reliable estimate of the Muslim population and its percentage in each country throughout the world. This data is summarized to be a reference for other studies and discussions related to Muslim population. The presented data show that Asia has 69% of the world Muslim population while Africa has 27%. In addition, Muslims constitute 24% of the world population, or 1.65 billion people. This is expected to increase by over one percentage point each decade, reaching one out of four by 2020 and one out of three by 2075.”

Muslim Population by Countries: The below list of images indicates the statistics of the Muslim population among various countries.

APGR = Annual Population Growth Rate

1 – 2010 Estimate of the Muslim population in Southeastern Asia region

2 – 2010 Estimate of the Muslim Population in Southwestern Asia region

3 – 2010 Estimate of the Muslim population in Eastern Asia region

The Last Sahabi Who Died – Of Prophet Muhammad (SA) December 17, 2011

The Islamic Empire had stretched to a vast portion of the globe at that time, so in various parts of the empire people would value the remaining Sahaba, and historians have mentioned the last Sahabi in various parts of the empire. Abu Tufail ‘Amr ibn Wathila al-Leethi was the last one to die in Makkah and over-all.

Jannat ul-Baqi

Makkah:

ابو طفيل عمرو ابن واثله الليثى

He saw Allah’s Messenger in the the Last Hajj (Hijjat ul Widaa’).  He was young at that time, and he was asked, how your love for him was at that time. He replied, “Like the love of mother of Musa for Musa”. Abu Tufail ‘Amr ibn Wathila al-Leethi (May Allah be Pleased with him) was amongst Sh’iaan e ‘Ali.

Death: Abu Tufail ‘Amr ibn Wathila al-Leethi (May Allah be Pleased with him) died after 100 Hijri. Historians have mentioned three different narrations for his death: 100 Hijri, 107 Hijri or 110 Hijri. He died in Makkah.  Adh-Dahabi says the correct opinion is that he died in 110th Hijri.

Ibn ‘Asakir quotes a narration in Tareekh Madinah Damishq:

آخر من مات من أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على وجه الأرض عامر أبو الطفيل بن واثلة وكان يقول ما بقي على وجه الأرض أحد يقدر يقول أنه رأى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم غيري مات بمكة سنة مائة

“The last one to die from the companions (Sahaba) of Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) on the face of the earth is ‘Aamir Abu Tufail bin Wathila and he used to say, ‘No one is left on the face of the earth who can say: I saw Allah’s Messenger, save me’. He died in Makkah in 100 Hijri”

Ibn-Hibban quotes a narration in Ath-Thiqaat :

عامر بن واثلة أبو الطفيل المكى أدرك ثمان سنين من حياة رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم ومات بمكة سنة سبع ومائة وهو آخر من مات من أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم بمكة وهو من بنى كنانة

“‘Aamir bin Wathila Abu Tufail al-Makki got 8 years from the life of Allah’s messenger, and he died in Makkah in the year 107th Hijri, and he was the last one from the companions (Sahaba) of Allah’s Messenger to die in Makkah, and he was from Bani Kinanah”

Basrah:

As for other parts, the last sahabi to die in Basrah (part of present day Iraq) was:

انس بن مالك

He is one of the major narrators of hadith. He was ten years old when Allah’s Messenger entered Madinah and he used to serve him. He participated in many Ghazawaat and was a participant of Bai’at ur Ridwan. He remained as Imam of Salah in Basra for about 40 years.

Death: Anas bin Malik (May Allah bed pleased with him) died at the age of 103 in 93rd Hijri in Basrah. Some historians mention his dead in 91st Hijri. Adh-Dhabi says the correct opinion is of 93rd Hijri.

Madinah:

The last Sahabi to die in Madinah is:

سهل بن سعد الساعدى

His father was a sahabi, Sa’d bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him), who died in the times of Allah’s Messenger. He has narrated many ahaadith.

Death: Sahl bin Sa’d as-Saa’dee died in Madinah in 96th Hijri when he was 100 years old. According to Al-Waqidi he died in 91st Hijri. Adh-Dahabi says many have quoted his death in 91st Hijri.

جابر بن عبدالله ابن عمرو بن حرام

Ibn-Sa’d has quoted in his Tabqaat that Jabir bin ‘Abudllah bin ‘Amr bin Haram al-Ansaari (May Allah be pleased with him) was the last to die in Madinah, amongst the Sahaba. He witnessed the Second Ba’iah of ‘Aqabah and he was also present in Ba’iat ur Ridwan. And Adh-Dhahabi says when he died he was the last one to witness Ba’iah of ‘Aqabah. He has narrated many ahaadith. His father was a Sahabi who attained Shahadah in the battle of Uhud. He participated in the battle of Ahzaab and some narrators mention he was from amongst those who witnessed Badr. Al-Waqidi has mentioned a narration from him where he says he participated in sixteen ghazawaat with Allah’s Messenger.

Death: Ibn Sa’d narrates that he died in 77th Hijri and he was 84 years old then, and he was the governor of Madinah at that time. Al-Waqidi mentions his death in 78th Hijri. Adh-Dhahabi says he was 94 years old when he died.

Ash-Shaam:

The last Sahabi to die in Ash-Shaam (present day Syria, Jordan, Palestine etc.) was:

عبد الله بن بسر بن أبي بسر المازني

He has narrated very few ahadith and they are found in Sahah e Sitta. He was amongst those who opened the Island of Qabras in times of Uthman (May Allah be pleased with him).

Death: ‘Abudllah bin Basr bin Abi Basr Al-Maazni  (May Allah be pleased with him) died in Hams at the age of 100 in 94th Hijri according to al-Waqidi or 88th Hijri according to ibn ‘Asakir.

أبو أمامة الباهلي

Ibn Abdul Barr has mentioned Abu Umamah al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) to be the last sahabi to die in ash-Shaam. Many scholars have narrated from him. Adh-Dhahabi says it is narrated that he participated in Ba’iah ur Ridwan.

Death: He died in 81st or 86th Hijri, and he was more than 80 years old.

Kufa:

The last Sahabi to die in Kufa (part of present day Iraq) was

عبد الله بن أبي أوفى

Adh-Dahabi says that he was present in Ba’it Ar-Ridwaan. His father was also a Sahabi. He has narrated many Ahadith.

Death: According to al-Waqidi he died in the year 86th Hijri and he was blind at that time. Adh-Dahabi says he died in 88th Hijri and he was near 100 years of age at that time.

Egypt:

The last Sahabi to die in Egypt was

عبد الله بن الحارث بن جزء أبو الحارث الزبيدي

He witnessed the opening of Egypt in times of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) and stayed there till his death.

Death: Narrations mention his death to be in 85th or 86th or 87th Hijri, Adh-Dhahabi says that 86th Hijri is the correct opinion.

Few scholars have narrated that many Sahabi Jinns existed many years later. According to one Syrian Sufi Scholar the last Sahabi died near Euphrates 70 years back from now, and he was a Jinn.

والله اعلم بالصواب

References to the above mentioned dates and names can be found in:

[1] الطبقات الكبرى – ابن سعد

[2] للحافظ الذهبى سير أعلام النبلاء

[3] تاريخ مدينه دمشق – ابن عساكر

[4] البدايه و النهايه – ابن كثير

Source

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan 5 Album Collection December 17, 2011

Download ECSTASY by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

1. Allah Hu, Allah Hu, Allah Hu
2. Man Kun to Maula
3. Dhan Dhan Bhaag Hamare Sajini
4. Ni Main Jana Jogi de Naal
5. Mera Piya Ghar Aaya

Download

Download Mast Mast by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

1. Mustt Mustt (Lost in His Work)
2. Nothing Without You (Tery Bina)
3. Tracery
4. The Game
5. Taa Deem
6. Sea of Vapours
7. Fault Lines
8. Tana Dery Na
9. Shadow
10. Avenue
11. Mustt Mustt [Massive Attack Remix]

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Download Rapture by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

1    Man Atkeia Beparwah de Naal
2    Sab Vird Karo Allah Allah
3    Sanson Ki Mala Peh Simroon Bhajan
4    Tumhen Dil Lagi Bhool Jani Paregee
5    Dam Dam Karo Fareed
6    Ghunghat Chuk O Sajnan Hun Sharman
7    Un Ka Andaz-E-Karam

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Download Shahen by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

1. Pal Do Pal Hain Pyaar Ke – Adaab Nusrat Saab
2. Kinna Sona – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Live
3. Din Mein Sab Socha – Jashn
4. Afreen Afreen – Sangam
5. Dum Mast Kalandar – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Live
6. Tainu Takda Rawan – Adaah Nusrat Shah
7. Ah Kya Socha – Sangam
8. Mera Piya Ghar Aaya – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Live

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Download Night Song by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (With Michael Brook)

1. My Heart, My Life
2. Intoxicated
3. Lament
4. My Comfort Remains
5. Longing
6. Sweet Pain
7. Night Song
8. Crest

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More to come!!

Aziz Mian Mega Collection 12 Albums December 17, 2011

Most of the albums are ripped at vbr mp3.
Album 1
Aziz Mian – Dhoom – Vol. 17/01 – Lakhoon Ne Dhoom Machayee
Aziz Mian – Dhoom – Vol. 17/02 – Hamare Dil Ko Sangdil Ne
Aziz Mian – Dhoom – Vol. 17/03 – Yaar Jin Ke Kareeb Hotay
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LM645L9G

Album 2
Aziz Mian – Dil Jala Kar – Vol. 10/01 – Dil Jala Kar
Aziz Mian – Dil Jala Kar – Vol. 10/02 – Tera Har Sitam
Aziz Mian – Dil Jala Kar – Vol. 10/03 – Uske Ghar Mein
Aziz Mian – Dil Jala Kar – Vol. 10/04 – Tera Darshan Bhee
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O2WIOAO3

Album 3
Aziz Mian – Ishq Mein Hum/01 – Ishq Mein Hum Tumhein Kya Bataen
Aziz Mian – Ishq Mein Hum/02 – Yeh Paisa Kya Karega
Aziz Mian – Ishq Mein Hum/03 – Unki Aankhon Mein
Aziz Mian – Ishq Mein Hum/04 – Prem Deewani
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IZ2O7NUB

Album 4
Aziz Mian – Mille Gee Sheikh Ki Jannat – Vol. 6/01 – Mile Gee Sheikh Ko Jannat
Aziz Mian – Mille Gee Sheikh Ki Jannat – Vol. 6/02 – Hamein Itni Saqi Ne Piladi
Aziz Mian – Mille Gee Sheikh Ki Jannat – Vol. 6/03 – Ab Is Se Barhke Kya Nakaamiyan
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JFMB86IG

Album 5
Aziz Mian – Raaz Khud Mushtahir Ho To/01 – Raaz Khud Mushtahir Ho To
Aziz Mian – Raaz Khud Mushtahir Ho To/02 – Main Kya Kroun
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KQDENQW0

Album 6
Aziz Mian – Saqia Aur Pila – Vol. 8/01 – Saqia Aur Pila
Aziz Mian – Saqia Aur Pila – Vol. 8/02 – Wafayein Meri Rang La Kar
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WKF6OAI1

Album 7
Aziz Mian – Shaam Pae Gayee – Vol. 26/01 – Aaja We Sham Pae Gayee
Aziz Mian – Shaam Pae Gayee – Vol. 26/02 – Ban Gayee Main Jogan Yaar Di
Aziz Mian – Shaam Pae Gayee – Vol. 26/03 – Teri Tasveer Rakh Ke
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GLKE7NY8

Album 8
Aziz Mian – Sharabi/01 – Sharabi Mein Sharabi
Aziz Mian – Sharabi/02 – Meri Dastaan -e- Hasrat
Aziz Mian – Sharabi/03 – Daba Ke Chal Diyay
Aziz Mian – Sharabi/04 – Rang
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7ANK5F04

Album 9
Aziz Mian – Tarapte Hain/01 – Tarpte Hain
Aziz Mian – Tarapte Hain/02 – Bauhat Armaan
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EYXSZJKE

Album 10
Aziz Mian – Wadah – Vol. 13/01 – Wadah Tera Wadah
Aziz Mian – Wadah – Vol. 13/02 – Ishq Mein Zindagi Ka
Aziz Mian – Wadah – Vol. 13/03 – Woh Dil Hi Kiya
Aziz Mian – Wadah – Vol. 13/04 – Mujhe Azmane Walay
Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9SGMWEL3

Album 11
Aziz Mian – Zindagi Ka Janaza – Vol. 24/01 – Idhar Zindgi Ka Janza
Aziz Mian – Zindagi Ka Janaza – Vol. 24/02 – Mil Ke Bichhre Tum
Aziz Mian – Zindagi Ka Janaza – Vol. 24/03 – Koi Aye Koi Jaye
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http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LU0APU86

Album 12
Hashar Ke Roz Poochhoon Ga
Download
Part 1
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ICFF2V92
Part 2
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KJPVW544
DownloadSingle link for this album
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EL8ZZ0J6

How and why is Riba haram for Muslims – The consequences of Riba November 2, 2011

Why Riba was prohibited (declared Haram) in the divine law?

Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, “Trade is [just] like interest.” But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah . But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] – those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein. – Quran Surah al-Baqarah, 2:275

It is worth to present an example to start with the subject, a factual example from existing interest based banking methodology that is valid and current, which can be well understood by a common person. One should consider the following facts before going through the example. The facts are:

• Only Banks create money.
• The created money is then supplied in to the economy only in the form of loan at some specified interest.
• There are no other institutions that create money other than banks.

The example – an astonishing fact

As all the banks are creating money and supplying in to the economy on interest and without any doubt all of them are practicing the same technique, so let us consider there is only one bank in our example that creates some money and supply in to the people’s economy.

Suppose Bank XYZ creates Dirhams 100,000 and supplies it at an interest rate of 10% per annum to several entrepreneurs and governmental units active in the economy, remember there is no money available in the economy from any other source. The bank has taken substantial collateral or guarantee as securityof its money from each borrower. See in the following diagram – the borrowersintake loan and repayment liabilities at the end of the first year:

It is very simple and clear that at the end of the first year, a combined sum of Dirhams 110,000 is due on all borrowers to repay to the loaning bank.

But the money available in the economy is only Dirhams 100,000 as the bank is only supplier of money, so from where the rest 10,000 would come that is the difference in the borrowers intake and total repayment amount…… from NOWHERE. Yes, that is right from nowhere because that money does not exist in the economy.

Look at the scene, the bank is the only supplier of money, it creates andsupplies 100,000 in the economy and that is the total money available in the economy, but as per loan agreements - these borrowers collectively have topay back 110,000. How is that possible? There is no way. Don’t you believe, it is 100% like this – no less. This is cheating and criminal foul play.

So what will happen, at least one or more of these borrowers would default on their loan(s) and would loose their personal assets or belonging that they had put as security to the bank for the repayment.

The money creator has designed a mechanism that would force few of the borrowers each year to default so that bank could forfeit the security assets and gain wealth by foul play.

This is an eye opening example for those who previously had no idea about the mechanism of banks as how they operate and cause artificial shortage (scarcity) of the money in the societies. This is happening every where in this world from USA to the smallest country on this beautiful planet. This artificial scarcity of money is the root cause of people’s problems from hard struggle for surviving to the loss of happiness from their lives.

In a Riba (interest) based system, people are not aware of this foul play – borrowers think that they will manage to repay the principal plus Riba (interest) as they think it would be coming from some where else, but the fact is – every borrower would be in battle with others where some borrowers have to lose in order for others to win, some would fail to pay their loans in order for others to get the sum they need to pay off the Riba (Interest). When seen in totality, the supply side is always in deficit and the liability is always in excess due to Riba (interest), the total combined supply cannot discharge the liability.

After going through the above real example, I believe, now we are close to find out why Riba was declared Haram in Quran and Sunnah.

Let us begin with the economic reasoning of WHY:

1. The availability of each produce is limited, the liability cannot exceed the availability limit.
2. In any transaction, if a liability of produce “in excess” of “the produce available” is created, that extra liability would be artificial because excess quantity of produce does not exist.

This universal economic code applies to each and every type of produce; to further get in to the explanation of the rule, let us now identify what represents “the produce”, “the transaction”, and “extra liability”:

The Produce

In its general expression “the produce” is any thing available to human beings for their use or consumption, but here specifically those produce that can be involved in a transaction, it is best to take historical standards of transactions which are based on produce like gold, silver, grains, currency etc. because throughout history all transactions are carried out in publicly acceptable produce only. These produce have served the societies as “medium of exchange”, so it is more appropriate logically and historically to consider the produce as “the medium of exchange” which is again a general expression and can accommodate any other commodity/produce that may be used in a transaction.

The Transaction

In this universal economic principle, the transaction is based on a single produce and naturally it can only be a transaction of loan or exchange and nothing else. Although donations/grants also involve only one produce but that is not a transaction because a transaction means exchange of good(s) and/or service(s) either on spot or in any specified time frame involving one or more types of produce.

Extra Liability

Riba (interest, usury) is that extra liability created in excess of the produce available and that does not exist. Every liability is a demand in practice, the basic rule of economics known to every one is that to maintain economic equilibrium (stability) in the society, the supply side should be equal to the demand, if the demand is more than the supply – a shortage will occur. Creating an extra liability means creating an extra demand without increasing equal supply, this will start a never ending mechanism of perpetually increasing the shortage of that produce in the society.

Conclusion:

Riba was prohibited just to prevent the creation of “extra liability/demand” because that is fake and “does not exist” physically, this artificial “extra liability/demand” creates scarcity of the produce in the society and unjustly accumulation of the produce in few hands. Riba (interest, usury) is a mechanism and dangerous weapon that has a power to get hold of assets/properties of individuals, enterprises, and nations deceitfully. This is unfair and against the nature, so ALLAH (SWT) banned Riba (interest, usury) very strictly to stop this criminal action.

Nature is the Limit in Islam; any thing not natural is prohibited, stopped, and declared illegal. The above economic reasons are the only base for the prohibition of Riba, ALLAH (SWT) has allowed everything that is natural but given its strict judgment to stop any behavior, agreement, and practice that is not natural.

Source

Distribution of different religions – Infographic October 23, 2011

In the world map of religion given below, all these varied colors have been used carefully so that it becomes easier for users to differentiate between the various countries and religions as well. The World Religion Map is a very comprehensive and reliable source of information about world religion facts. It will provide you a world outline about the religious demographics of the world.. The major religion map of the world given below can also serve as world religion population map and will come in handy for those doing research on religion history

For purposes of practicality, the world’s major religions may be classified as follows:

1. Middle Eastern Religions:
   • Christianity
     • Roman Catholicism
     • Protestantism
     • Eastern Orthodox Church
   • Islam
   • Shi’ite
   • Sunni
   • Judaism
   • Zoroastrianism
2. Far Eastern Religions:
• Confucianism
• Taoism
• Shinto
• Mahayana Buddhism
3. Indian Religions:
• Hinduism
• Sikhism
• Jainism
• Theravada Buddhism
4. African Religions:
• Tribal Religions of Sub-Saharan Africa
5. American Religions:
   • Religions of Indigenous American Indians
6. Oceanic Religions:
• The religions of the Pacific Islanders
• The beliefs of the Aborigines of Australia
• The beliefs of the Maoris of New Zealand

Significance of the most precious night – Laylat al-Qadr August 21, 2011

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

1 – The Meaning of Qadr

Ibn Hajar said in ‘Fath al-Bari’ (4/323-324):

“There are various explanations of the meaning of the qadr that this night is ascribed to.

    It was said that it means veneration, as in the verse: {“…and they didn’t venerate (qadar) Allah as He deserved…”} [al-An’am; 91] This refers to it being a night of veneration due to the revelation of the Qur’an taking place in it, or due to the descent of the Angels in it, or due to the blessing and mercy and forgiveness that descend in it, or that those who stay up that night in worship are venerated.

    It was also said that qadr here means constriction, as in the verse: {“…and who is constricted (qadara) in his provision…”} [at-Talaq; 7] This refers to it being a night of constriction due to the exact night being hidden, or because the Earth is constricted due to the presence of such a large number of Angels.

    It was also said that it is qadar, derived from the word for judgment. This refers to the fact that all the judgments of that year are made on this night…”

2 – Better than a Thousand Months

Ibn Kathir mentioned in ‘Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Adhim’ (4/686) that Mujahid said:

   “There was a man from the Children of Israel who would pray all night and then fight Jihad against the enemy all day, and he did this for a thousand months. Allah then revealed the verse: {“The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months…”} So, praying on this night is better than the actions of that man.”

3 – The 27th Word

Ibn Kathir mentioned (4/690):

  “…And it was reported that some of the Salaf used the Qur’an to conclude that it is on the 27th night because the word هي (it is) is the 27th word in the chapter, and Allah Knows best.”

4 – Why the Exact Day Was Hidden

Ibn Hajar said (4/328):

    “…This might have a benefit linked to legislation…or exertion in worship, because if the Night of Qadr was specified to be on an exact night, people would limit themselves to that night and miss out on the worship on other nights. It is as if this is what the Prophet meant when he said: “…this might be better for you.””

5 – Heavy for the Hypocrite

Ibn Kathir mentioned (4/692) that Ka’b al-Ahbar said:

    “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the Night of Qadr is so heavy on the disbeliever and hypocrite that it feels like a mountain on his back.”

6 – What to Supplicate on the Night of Qadr

In ‘as-Silsilah as-Sahihah’ (3337), it’s reported that ‘A’ishah asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم): “If I happen to catch the Night of Qadr, how should I supplicate?”

He replied: “You should say:

   O Allah, You Pardon and Love pardoning. So, Pardon me.”

7 – In the Shade of the Night of Qadr

Sayyid Qutb said in ‘Fi Dhilal al-Qur’an’ (6/3945):

“…This night is better than thousands of months in the lives of human beings. How many thousands of months and years have passed by without leaving in our lives the changes that this single blessed, joyous night leaves us? The might of this night is such that its reality transcends the limits of human comprehension: {“And what will make you understand what the Night of Qadr is?”}

…When we look today after the generations of the past to this noble, joyous night and imagine the amazing festive atmosphere that the Earth witnessed on that night, and we reflect over the reality of what took place that night, and we let its significance in history in the reality of the world, and in the outlook of our hearts and minds sink in, we see something that is truly great. We begin to understand a bit of the purpose of the Qur’anic mention of this night: {“And what will make you understand what the Night of Qadr is?”}

On that night, every wise judgment was made. Values, principles, and scales were laid down. Ordainments were made that surpassed that of individuals: ordainments for nations, countries, and peoples. In fact, it is even greater and mightier than this: ordainment of realities and hearts!

Humankind has become heedless – due to its ignorance and disconnection – of the value of the Night of Qadr and the reality and significance of this event. Since the time that it became heedless of this, it has been deprived of the most joyous and beautiful gifts from Allah. It lost the true happiness and peace – the peace of mind, and peace in the home and society – that Islam granted it. This cannot be replaced by the material bounty, civilization, and power that it has been given. It is in a bad state despite the outpouring of production and high standards of living it possesses!

The beautiful light that shone on it at one time has been put out, as has the illuminating happiness that carried it to the highest levels. The peace that once soaked hearts and souls is absent, and the spiritual joy and heavenly light and ascension to the highest levels can never be replaced.

We as believers are commanded to never forget or be heedless of this memory. Our Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) showed us an easy way to bring this memory to life in our souls and remain connected to it forever, as well as to remain connected to the universal event that occurred in it. This is why he encouraged us to pray on this night every year and to seek it out on the last ten nights of Ramadan. In the two ‘Sahih’s, it says: “Seek out the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,” and: “Whoever prays in the Night of Qadr out of faith and expectation of reward will have all of his past sins Forgiven.”

Islam is not simply outer actions meant for show. This is why the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said that this prayer should be out of faith and expectation of reward. Likewise, this night prayer should bring back to life the massive concepts that this night encompasses. It should be done out of faith in order to make it purely for Allah, as well as in expectation of reward. At this point, the heart will have a specific reality ingrained in it because of this night prayer that is tied directly to the purpose for which this Qur’an was revealed.

The Islamic method of tarbiyah ties worship to the reality of belief in the conscience. It turns worship into a method of resurrecting these realities, clarifying them, and solidifying them in a living image that transcends mere emotion and isn’t limited to theory. It is confirmed that this method alone can resurrect these realities and turn them into a movement in one’s conscience and character, and that mere realization of these realities without the support of physical worship will not establish these realities or push them into a movement in the life of an individual or the life of a group.

This direct connection between the memory of the Night of Qadr and praying at night out of faith and expectation of reward is just one aspect of this sound and successful Islamic method…”

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Download The eBook to learn about a detailed importance of the precious night of Al-Qadr. This book includes almost every minute detail about the precious night of Al-Qadr.

courtesy Kalamullah.com

Facts about Quran E Majeed You Would Love To Know! August 12, 2011

Listed below are some fascinating facts about Quran E Majeed. I am sure you will love to know it and to share with your fellow brothers and sisters.

Compilation:
1] Qur’an is divided into 30 sections (Ajza)
2] There are 114 Surahs of the Qur’an. Longest is Surah Al Baqrah (286 Verses), the shortest is Surah al-Kawthar (“Abundance” with 3 verses)
3] Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation in 610AD at the Cave of Hira (Ghar ul Hira)
4] There are a total of 6236 verses in the Qur’an
5] The revelation continued for a period of 22 years, 5 months and 14 days approximately until the demise of the Prophet in 633AD or 11 AH (After Hijrah – the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina)

The compilation of the Qur’an:

This passed through 4 stages:

Stage 1 – Upto the death of Prophet Muhammad PBUH

• A great number of Companions (Sahaba) committed the Qur’an to memory.
• The various Surah’s of the Qur’an were written down on parchment, wooden tablets, soft stone, palm leaves and bits of leather.
• Therefore during the lifetime of the Prophet the Qur’an was preserved by both memory and by writing in various forms. One of which validated and authenticated the other.
• Since Prophet Muhammad could not read or write himself, he memorised the Qur’an whilst his Companions both memorised and wrote it down.
• During the Ramadhan before his demise, the Qur’an was rechecked and reconfirmed twice

Stage 2 – The Caliphate of Abu Bakr (ra) (died 634AD)

• Abu Bakr (ra) asked Zaid bin Thabit (ra), one of the scribes of the revelation to put the Qur’an together in a single volume.
• The instructions of arranging the order of the Qur’an in terms of it’s surahs was well known due to the clear instruction of our beloved Prophet Muhammad during his lifetime to his Companions.
• Zaid (ra), in consultation with the various Sahaba, collated a single ‘Mushaf’ or copy of the Qur’an. The process of validating and authenticating what was written was facilitated by Zaid’s rigourous approach in ensuring that nothing was written down until certain test were carried out in the interest of legitimacy by at least two witnesses i.e. the document itself provided by a Companion supported by the evidence of other Companions who had committed it to memory.
• Therefore the first Mushaf was compiled during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr (ra)
• It was written on sheets and was tied with strings

Stage 3 – The Caliphate of Umar (ra) (Died 644)

• Concerted efforts were made to learn the Qur’an through the process of memorization
• Abu Darda (in Syria) alone assisted 1600 students in his Qur’anic classes
• The Mushaf, the first copy of the Qur’an came into the possession of Umm Ul Mumineen Hafsa (ra), the widow of the Messenger of Allah during Umar’s Caliphate

Stage 4 – The Caliphate of Uthman ibn Uffan (ra) (Died 655AD)

• By approval of our beloved Prophet Muhammad , a dialectal variation related to some of the words of the Qur’an had been practiced among the various Arab tribes.
• As Islam spread, this caused much confusion especially after the expansion of Islam into non-Arab lands
• Also, there were still occurrences whereby some Companions wrote down what they heard from the Prophet and did not have it verified. This obviously introduced an element of risk that mistakes, grammatical or otherwise could have crept into these ‘personal’ writings of some of these people
• Uthman (ra) , quite rightly sanctioned the preparation of a single Qur’an for all the Muslims. Once again, Zaid bin Thabit (along with 3 other Companions of our beloved Prophet Muhammad was engaged in comparing the Mushaf in the possession of Umm Ul Mumineen Hafsa (ra) with existing copies in the custody of other Companions. As instructed by Uthman, wherever a dialectical version was noticed, it was replaced by the dialect of the Quraish, the tribe of Prophet Muhammad .
• Seven or Eight copies of this Mushaf was distributed to the major Muslim centers in the Islamic World. All other copies were recalled and destroyed. Any further copies were made on the basis of these seven or eight.

The Present Day

• Two copies of the original Mushaf of Uthman still exist. One in Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, Turkey and the second at Tashkent in Uzbekistan. The national library of Karachi in Pakistan have a copy of the Mushaf which is in Tashkent which was presented to Ayyub Khan in 1965 on a visit to Russia (Uzbekistan was then part of the former USSR)
• Muslims continue to read, learn and memorise the same Qur’an.
• Although a number of symbols were introduced into the Qur’anic script, notably during the reign of Hajjaj bin Yusuf, the meaning of the Qur’an has not changed. These were introduced to make the reading and recitation of the Qur’an easier for non Arabs.
• The Qur’an has been preserved through both it’s written and memorised form. Today it is available on a range of media, i.e. CD’s, MP3, Audio Cassette etc.
• From Singapore to Spain, the same Qur’an is recited, with the same meaning as the original.

Allah has promised in the Qur’an :

“We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly Guard it (from corruption). [Al-Qur’an 15:9]

Courtesy of Muhammad Shafiq

Source: Hamza Jennings

Quick Facts About Quran E Majeed August 11, 2011

• The Holy Quran has 30 parts

• The Holy Quran has 114 surahs

• Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem is repeated 114 times in the Quran.

• All except for Surat “Al Tawbah” start with Bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem.

• Surat “Al Namel, No. 27” has Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem in its body

• Al-Baqarah is the longest surah in the Quran  

• Al-Kawthar is the shortest surah in the Quran

• Milk is the best drink mentioned in the Quran

• Honey is the best food thing mentioned in the Quran

• The best month is Ramadan

• The best night is the Night of Power in Ramadan (Laylat al Qadr)

• The most disliked thing by Allah, although being halal, is Divorce

• Surat Yaseen is the HEART of the Quran

• Surat Al-Ikhlas is considered 1/3 of the Quran

• Quran was revealed over 23 years: 13 in Mecca and 10 in Madina

• Surat Al-Dahr was revealed in respect to Ahlul Bayt (P)

• Surat Al Nissa speaks about laws of marriage

• Whoever reads one letter of the Quran gets 10 Rewards

• Reading 1 verse in Ramadan is equal to reading the entire Quran in other months

• Ramadan is the Spring of the Holy Quran

• The Quran will intercede for people who recited it on Judgment Day

• The Quran will complain of people who didn’t recite it on Judgment Day